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Fine Art photography, fine art photo prints, canvas, wall art, macro photography

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Marbella, Spain
Personal Stories Spain Travel

Slower Pace, Deeper Meaning Embracing Slow Living after Moving to Spain

January 4, 2026

Our first breakfast in Spain, with La Concha mountain stretching majestically before us an[...]

hi, I'm Elena
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Hi, I’m Elena, a photographer, creative adventurer, and the voice behind this lifestyle blog. Here you’ll find a mix of colorful style, travel notes, recipes, art, and little joys that make everyday life feel brighter. I love sharing ideas and info that feel both useful and inspiring, always elegant, approachable, and real.

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Marbella Old Town is full of little surprises for those who wander slowly. Narrow streets, colorful tiles decorating doorways and buildings, flowers spilling from windows, and small bars tucked away as if waiting to be discovered. Every corner whispers stories from the past. The walls, the doorways, even the cobblestones hold layers of history — centuries of people, culture, and life layered throughout the city. Castillo Alcazaba, built in the 10th century during the Moorish period, stands as a reminder of Marbella’s rich heritage, overlooking the old town with quiet strength. And after all that wandering, it’s impossible not to pause for a taste of the city. This time I stopped at a tapas and wine bar Barril del Gusto, savoring Chorizo de Ronda in almíbar de vino Cartojal with a glass of Spanish white wine. Simple, delicious, and perfect after a slow exploration. #spain #movetospain #malaga #marbella #travel
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Marbella Old Town is full of little surprises for those who wander slowly. Narrow streets, colorful tiles decorating doorways and buildings, flowers spilling from windows, and small bars tucked away as if waiting to be discovered. Every corner whispers stories from the past. The walls, the doorways, even the cobblestones hold layers of history — centuries of people, culture, and life layered throughout the city. Castillo Alcazaba, built in the 10th century during the Moorish period, stands as a reminder of Marbella’s rich heritage, overlooking the old town with quiet strength. And after all that wandering, it’s impossible not to pause for a taste of the city. This time I stopped at a tapas and wine bar Barril del Gusto, savoring Chorizo de Ronda in almíbar de vino Cartojal with a glass of Spanish white wine. Simple, delicious, and perfect after a slow exploration. #spain #movetospain #malaga #marbella #travel
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
1/4
I’ve heard this from so many expats who moved from the US to Spain or other European countries — Italy, France, and beyond. They all say the same thing: slowing down is harder than it sounds. Letting go of the constant rush, the need to be productive, to achieve more and more, to always be busy. That mindset runs deep. Being busy feels important. Almost necessary. Sometimes more important than joy. More important than simply being. And now, living it, I understand exactly what they meant. It’s like having an internal timer that never stops ticking, always pushing me to multitask, to do more, faster. So maybe the first step is awareness. Catching myself. Gently reminding myself to slow down. To focus on one thing at a time. Inhale. Exhale. Creating instead of constantly doing. And maybe, just sitting still and watching the soft rhythm of the waves. #spain #movetospain #malaga #marbella #travel
•
Follow
I’ve heard this from so many expats who moved from the US to Spain or other European countries — Italy, France, and beyond. They all say the same thing: slowing down is harder than it sounds. Letting go of the constant rush, the need to be productive, to achieve more and more, to always be busy. That mindset runs deep. Being busy feels important. Almost necessary. Sometimes more important than joy. More important than simply being. And now, living it, I understand exactly what they meant. It’s like having an internal timer that never stops ticking, always pushing me to multitask, to do more, faster. So maybe the first step is awareness. Catching myself. Gently reminding myself to slow down. To focus on one thing at a time. Inhale. Exhale. Creating instead of constantly doing. And maybe, just sitting still and watching the soft rhythm of the waves. #spain #movetospain #malaga #marbella #travel
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
2/4
Christmas and New Year in Marbella feels so special. One highlight is the Secret Christmas Street in central Marbella at Calle Córdoba — a small street decorated entirely by local residents. This has been a neighborhood tradition since 2020 and feels very personal, creative, and local. Walking through Marbella city center, everything feels festive and relaxed with lights everywhere. Another must-see is the Christmas fair at Alameda Park. You’ll find holiday stalls, handmade gifts, music, and seasonal food. Hot spiced wine is especially popular on cooler evenings, and there’s one very popular spot making freshly fried churros: warm, simple, and absolutely worth stopping for. #Spain #christmastime #malaga #marbella #travel
•
Follow
Christmas and New Year in Marbella feels so special. One highlight is the Secret Christmas Street in central Marbella at Calle Córdoba — a small street decorated entirely by local residents. This has been a neighborhood tradition since 2020 and feels very personal, creative, and local. Walking through Marbella city center, everything feels festive and relaxed with lights everywhere. Another must-see is the Christmas fair at Alameda Park. You’ll find holiday stalls, handmade gifts, music, and seasonal food. Hot spiced wine is especially popular on cooler evenings, and there’s one very popular spot making freshly fried churros: warm, simple, and absolutely worth stopping for. #Spain #christmastime #malaga #marbella #travel
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
3/4
Last weekend we spent a day in Marbella, wandering through the historic old town and finishing with a little time by the beach. We walked through the main square, passed the Dalí sculptures along the promenade, and just took it all in. A little fun fact I loved learning: the name Marbella comes from the Arabic ‘Marbal-la,’ given by the Moors, possibly meaning ‘beautiful sea’ or ‘well-inhabited place’. And of course, no day in Spain is complete without food. We stopped at a local Spanish restaurant for tapas and a bowl of sopa castellana — a traditional garlic soup. Warm, simple, and exactly what we needed. Marbella feels like an easy mix of history, art, sea air, and really good food, perfect even for a one-day visit. #spain #movetospain #travel #malaga #traveling
•
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Last weekend we spent a day in Marbella, wandering through the historic old town and finishing with a little time by the beach. We walked through the main square, passed the Dalí sculptures along the promenade, and just took it all in. A little fun fact I loved learning: the name Marbella comes from the Arabic ‘Marbal-la,’ given by the Moors, possibly meaning ‘beautiful sea’ or ‘well-inhabited place’. And of course, no day in Spain is complete without food. We stopped at a local Spanish restaurant for tapas and a bowl of sopa castellana — a traditional garlic soup. Warm, simple, and exactly what we needed. Marbella feels like an easy mix of history, art, sea air, and really good food, perfect even for a one-day visit. #spain #movetospain #travel #malaga #traveling
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
4/4
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Marbella Old Town is full of little surprises for those who wander slowly. Narrow streets, colorful tiles decorating doorways and buildings, flowers spilling from windows, and small bars tucked away as if waiting to be discovered. Every corner whispers stories from the past. The walls, the doorways, even the cobblestones hold layers of history — centuries of people, culture, and life layered throughout the city. Castillo Alcazaba, built in the 10th century during the Moorish period, stands as a reminder of Marbella’s rich heritage, overlooking the old town with quiet strength. And after all that wandering, it’s impossible not to pause for a taste of the city. This time I stopped at a tapas and wine bar Barril del Gusto, savoring Chorizo de Ronda in almíbar de vino Cartojal with a glass of Spanish white wine. Simple, delicious, and perfect after a slow exploration. #spain #movetospain #malaga #marbella #travel
•
Follow
Marbella Old Town is full of little surprises for those who wander slowly. Narrow streets, colorful tiles decorating doorways and buildings, flowers spilling from windows, and small bars tucked away as if waiting to be discovered. Every corner whispers stories from the past. The walls, the doorways, even the cobblestones hold layers of history — centuries of people, culture, and life layered throughout the city. Castillo Alcazaba, built in the 10th century during the Moorish period, stands as a reminder of Marbella’s rich heritage, overlooking the old town with quiet strength. And after all that wandering, it’s impossible not to pause for a taste of the city. This time I stopped at a tapas and wine bar Barril del Gusto, savoring Chorizo de Ronda in almíbar de vino Cartojal with a glass of Spanish white wine. Simple, delicious, and perfect after a slow exploration. #spain #movetospain #malaga #marbella #travel
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
1/5
I’ve heard this from so many expats who moved from the US to Spain or other European countries — Italy, France, and beyond. They all say the same thing: slowing down is harder than it sounds. Letting go of the constant rush, the need to be productive, to achieve more and more, to always be busy. That mindset runs deep. Being busy feels important. Almost necessary. Sometimes more important than joy. More important than simply being. And now, living it, I understand exactly what they meant. It’s like having an internal timer that never stops ticking, always pushing me to multitask, to do more, faster. So maybe the first step is awareness. Catching myself. Gently reminding myself to slow down. To focus on one thing at a time. Inhale. Exhale. Creating instead of constantly doing. And maybe, just sitting still and watching the soft rhythm of the waves. #spain #movetospain #malaga #marbella #travel
•
Follow
I’ve heard this from so many expats who moved from the US to Spain or other European countries — Italy, France, and beyond. They all say the same thing: slowing down is harder than it sounds. Letting go of the constant rush, the need to be productive, to achieve more and more, to always be busy. That mindset runs deep. Being busy feels important. Almost necessary. Sometimes more important than joy. More important than simply being. And now, living it, I understand exactly what they meant. It’s like having an internal timer that never stops ticking, always pushing me to multitask, to do more, faster. So maybe the first step is awareness. Catching myself. Gently reminding myself to slow down. To focus on one thing at a time. Inhale. Exhale. Creating instead of constantly doing. And maybe, just sitting still and watching the soft rhythm of the waves. #spain #movetospain #malaga #marbella #travel
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
2/5
Christmas and New Year in Marbella feels so special. One highlight is the Secret Christmas Street in central Marbella at Calle Córdoba — a small street decorated entirely by local residents. This has been a neighborhood tradition since 2020 and feels very personal, creative, and local. Walking through Marbella city center, everything feels festive and relaxed with lights everywhere. Another must-see is the Christmas fair at Alameda Park. You’ll find holiday stalls, handmade gifts, music, and seasonal food. Hot spiced wine is especially popular on cooler evenings, and there’s one very popular spot making freshly fried churros: warm, simple, and absolutely worth stopping for. #Spain #christmastime #malaga #marbella #travel
•
Follow
Christmas and New Year in Marbella feels so special. One highlight is the Secret Christmas Street in central Marbella at Calle Córdoba — a small street decorated entirely by local residents. This has been a neighborhood tradition since 2020 and feels very personal, creative, and local. Walking through Marbella city center, everything feels festive and relaxed with lights everywhere. Another must-see is the Christmas fair at Alameda Park. You’ll find holiday stalls, handmade gifts, music, and seasonal food. Hot spiced wine is especially popular on cooler evenings, and there’s one very popular spot making freshly fried churros: warm, simple, and absolutely worth stopping for. #Spain #christmastime #malaga #marbella #travel
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
3/5
Last weekend we spent a day in Marbella, wandering through the historic old town and finishing with a little time by the beach. We walked through the main square, passed the Dalí sculptures along the promenade, and just took it all in. A little fun fact I loved learning: the name Marbella comes from the Arabic ‘Marbal-la,’ given by the Moors, possibly meaning ‘beautiful sea’ or ‘well-inhabited place’. And of course, no day in Spain is complete without food. We stopped at a local Spanish restaurant for tapas and a bowl of sopa castellana — a traditional garlic soup. Warm, simple, and exactly what we needed. Marbella feels like an easy mix of history, art, sea air, and really good food, perfect even for a one-day visit. #spain #movetospain #travel #malaga #traveling
•
Follow
Last weekend we spent a day in Marbella, wandering through the historic old town and finishing with a little time by the beach. We walked through the main square, passed the Dalí sculptures along the promenade, and just took it all in. A little fun fact I loved learning: the name Marbella comes from the Arabic ‘Marbal-la,’ given by the Moors, possibly meaning ‘beautiful sea’ or ‘well-inhabited place’. And of course, no day in Spain is complete without food. We stopped at a local Spanish restaurant for tapas and a bowl of sopa castellana — a traditional garlic soup. Warm, simple, and exactly what we needed. Marbella feels like an easy mix of history, art, sea air, and really good food, perfect even for a one-day visit. #spain #movetospain #travel #malaga #traveling
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
4/5
As this year comes to an end, new beginnings are quietly lining up ahead of us. Before rushing into what’s next, I want to pause and say a kind, honest goodbye to 2025. Remembering this year brings mixed emotions: pain, exhaustion, and excitement, all at once. It began in the emergency room with a beloved person, followed by months of recovery, uncertainty, and life on pause. Our carefully planned scouting trip to Spain was canceled. And then came the decision, the hardest part of all: Do we still take the leap and relocate to Spain without that trip… or do we let go of the dream altogether? That question was terrifying. Once the decision was made, everything else became technical: research, planning, paperwork, logistics. There was no space left for creativity. Many of my creative projects had to be put on hold so we could simply move forward. Ever since my first big adventurous move (relocating to Cancún, Mexico in 2013) I’ve felt deeply grateful. Grateful to experience different cultures, live in another language, grow through discomfort, and be amazed by every small step forward. This kind of lifestyle isn’t for everyone. It’s for those who feel comfortable being uncomfortable and see it as a catalyst for growth. Comfort is such a vague concept anyway. We all define it differently. Often, an interesting and engaging life has little to do with the size of your house, cars, brand labels, or followers. Exploration and learning tend to fill an inner space so fully that the hunger for more material things naturally fades. Yes, life is life everywhere. You can’t run away from yourself. I once heard the saying: “People who wander are lost.” I don’t believe that. I think those who wander are deeply curious — about the world, life, and themselves. So here’s what I hope inspires you: Don’t be afraid to make a brave decision. It may not meet others’ expectations, even family, and that’s okay. We all have one life. This one. Live it your way. I wish you a year full of brave decisions, endless inspiration, and curiosity. And when fear shows up, see it as a sign that you’re about to grow. #movetospain #travel #spain #inspiration
•
Follow
As this year comes to an end, new beginnings are quietly lining up ahead of us. Before rushing into what’s next, I want to pause and say a kind, honest goodbye to 2025. Remembering this year brings mixed emotions: pain, exhaustion, and excitement, all at once. It began in the emergency room with a beloved person, followed by months of recovery, uncertainty, and life on pause. Our carefully planned scouting trip to Spain was canceled. And then came the decision, the hardest part of all: Do we still take the leap and relocate to Spain without that trip… or do we let go of the dream altogether? That question was terrifying. Once the decision was made, everything else became technical: research, planning, paperwork, logistics. There was no space left for creativity. Many of my creative projects had to be put on hold so we could simply move forward. Ever since my first big adventurous move (relocating to Cancún, Mexico in 2013) I’ve felt deeply grateful. Grateful to experience different cultures, live in another language, grow through discomfort, and be amazed by every small step forward. This kind of lifestyle isn’t for everyone. It’s for those who feel comfortable being uncomfortable and see it as a catalyst for growth. Comfort is such a vague concept anyway. We all define it differently. Often, an interesting and engaging life has little to do with the size of your house, cars, brand labels, or followers. Exploration and learning tend to fill an inner space so fully that the hunger for more material things naturally fades. Yes, life is life everywhere. You can’t run away from yourself. I once heard the saying: “People who wander are lost.” I don’t believe that. I think those who wander are deeply curious — about the world, life, and themselves. So here’s what I hope inspires you: Don’t be afraid to make a brave decision. It may not meet others’ expectations, even family, and that’s okay. We all have one life. This one. Live it your way. I wish you a year full of brave decisions, endless inspiration, and curiosity. And when fear shows up, see it as a sign that you’re about to grow. #movetospain #travel #spain #inspiration
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
5/5
@elenasullivanphotographer
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